The Razer Kishi V2 Has Become One of My Favorite Products of the Year – Here’s Why

The gadgets that hook you the most do not necessarily have to be the most expensive or revolutionary. Many times, those who manage to conquer your heart are simply those who make that wish possible or tear down that wall that you so longed for. The Moom tool I discussed a few weeks ago is excellent proof of this. It is a straightforward utility, but it has become one of my essentials. But let’s not deviate. In this text, I do not intend to go into detail about this utility again –although I recommend you look at it if you use macOS–. The case of Moom is just an introductory example of the true protagonist of this text: the Razer Kishi V2.

The Razer Kishi V2 is essentially a controller for mobile phones. An accessory that allows you to turn your mobile into a kind of Nintendo Switch. And yes, it is not the first. As the name itself suggests, there was a Razer Kishi V1. And it is also possible to find similar products from other brands.

But not being the first or a revolution does not precisely detract from this Razer Kishi V2. On the one hand, it fulfills its mission particularly well. On the other, what is truly important is not the product itself; but the doors it unlocks.

The key behind the Razer Kishi V2

Before going into detail about my experience with the Razer Kishi V2, I have to put on the table what has been the basis that gives meaning to a product like this: Xbox Game Pass. And more specifically, the cloud gaming function that Microsoft has been developing for years.

It is not the first time I have tried what was previously called xCloud. But I must admit it has been a while since the last time. And, dear reader, what a difference. The Redmond company has leaped forward in this regard enormously. It has gone from being something promising to delivering a satisfying experience. And I’m not referring to the catalog of compatible titles –which is also quite interesting–but to parameters such as latency, stability, or image quality.

To exemplify those above, allow me to take this text to my field. The bulk of my time in front of a console is spent with driving titles: F1, Gran Turismo, Assetto Corsa, etc. They have always been my passion. And in those titles, let’s remember, latency is critical. Braking a tenth of a second too late causes you to lose time or even cause a race-ending accident.

The last time I tried Xbox Game Pass cloud gaming, the service suffered from latency, making it impossible to enjoy titles like those. It wasn’t colossal latency, especially if you were trying to play without assistance (traction control off, manual gear, no ABS, etc.). Still, it was enough that you didn’t enjoy or feel comfortable.

On this occasion, however, the feeling has been the opposite. Xbox Game Pass cloud gaming has gone from being a good service I watched from a distance to seriously considering renewing my subscription so I can continue enjoying it when I travel without missing my console. Even more so, thinking that, at the end of the year, Microsoft will allow us to run any title we have in our digital library – not just those available on Game Pass.

And no, it’s not perfect. On some specific occasions, I am streaming suffered slightly stuttering despite having a good connection. But, I insist: it is not the norm. Crashes are so occasional that, in my experience, they don’t cloud the overall experience.

By the way, remember that you must have a good internet connection to enjoy a good experience with this service. Can you play Game Pass cloud play over a 5G network? The stability –especially in terms of latency– will not be the same as on a fiber network. And this factor is not in the hands of Microsoft but the operators.

The icing on the cake

If you combine a service like the one described above with a product like the Razer Kishi V2, the experience is satisfying. For example, the feel of the buttons is excellent, especially the X, A, B, and Y buttons. The triggers also have a good journey and sensitivity that is very useful in those titles where you have to play with their progression.

On the other hand, the joysticks on the Razer Kishi V2 closely resemble those of the Nintendo Switch in shape and behavior. The experience with them is satisfactory, although I must admit that, coming from conventional console controls, I miss that they have a little more travel. I say this for various reasons:

• The Game Pass titles have been developed with the gameplay of the Xbox controller in mind, whose joysticks have more travel. 
• More extended stick travel also eases the transition to the Kishi V2. If you play a lot on a console or PC, you will appreciate having a feeling that is as similar as possible between both devices.
• And finally, having more travel is also helpful in many titles where the progressiveness with which you make movements is essential.

The Razer Kishi V2’s bridge is broad, so any phone – even a particularly large one – can be docked without issue. If we get detailed, yes, it could be a little more solid, although it is more a suggestion of improvement than an actual deficiency.

The product itself is pretty light, which is critical considering that, to its weight, we must add that of a mobile phone – which is increasingly weighing more. It also conveys an excellent sensation to the touch – the rubbery finish of some parts contributes to this – and the elements are well located.

On the other hand, the inclusion of programmable buttons at the top –configurable from the Razer Nexus application– and a USB-C port at the bottom of the Razer Kishi V2 that allows you to charge the phone while we continue playing are appreciated.

What is not so appreciated is that there is no universal version of the Razer Kishi V2. The company has released a version for Android, and soon, a version for iOS will also arrive. But why isn’t it the same for both platforms?

The difference between the USB-C and Lightning port is the most visible hurdle, but I think a solution like the one DJI applies probably would have been viable in a product like this. For those unfamiliar with DJI, the drone brand includes different interchangeable ports with the controls of its products so that you can use one phone or another interchangeably with said control.

It’s a minor issue, but considering that people switch phones occasionally, making the Razer Kishi V2 universal would have gone a long way in extending its lifespan.

Is it worth buying the Razer Kishi V2?

After the above, I think there is no doubt about my answer. The Razer Kishi V2 has become one of my favorite products of the year. It is not revolutionary, but, together with Game Pass, it has opened a door that I have been yearning for years: playing the titles, I enjoy so much on the console, wherever I am, comfortably and without complications.